Electric radiant heater



ELECTRIC RADIANT HEATER Filed Jan. 19, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a l: i I l I i ==L l 1 1 m 8 l I 1 t\ 1 g 1 Q w 1 H I 1 1 I 4 1 fi T g E I i l l l l l l May 5, 1931. L. LEBAU 1,803,972

ELECTRIC RADIANT HEATER Filed Jan. 19, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 5, 1931 LOUIS LEBAU, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC RADIANT HEATER Application filed January 19, 1929. Serial No. 333,684.

This invention relates to an electric heater, and more particularly to a new and improved electric radiant heater.

In the embodiment thereof, as shown, I have illustrated a wall type of heater, but the present invention is not to be limited to this particular type, as it is evident that a different form of casing may be employed.

The prime object of the invention is to provide a new and improved heater embodying a refractory radiant member having a resistor element or elements of relatively thin fiat current-conducting strips of suitable resistant material embodied in the refractory members, said refractory member or plate being of such a character that it may be readily positioned within and removed from the casing of the heater.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an electric supporting member of such a character that the resistor element of the form stated may be readily positioned in and removed from the supporting memher; and new portions of the resistor replaced without the necessity of discarding the whole element.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an application of my invention:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a wall type of heater embodying my invention;

Fig. 2, an end elevational view; Fig. 3, a vertical sectional view on the line IIIIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4, a vertical sectional view through the radiant, said section being indicated on the line IV-IV of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 5, a sectional view on the line VV of Fi 4.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown a wall type of an electric radiant heater constructed in accordance with my invention and, as illustrated, I have provided a casing made of suitable sheet metal comprising a rectangular or square hollow body portion, designated generally by the numeral 5, and

comprising a back plate 6, top, bottom and side portions 7, the latter being secured to the back plate, the said sides, top and bottom each formed with openings 8 for the passage of'air into the interior of the casing.

The interior of the casing is divided by a plate 9 to form front and back portions or chambers. This construction, including as 1t does plate 9 and the openings in the top, bottom and sides of the casing, provides for the circulation of cooling air, so that the structure may be positioned in or on a wall wlthout danger of causing fire, due to excessive heat. The casing also includes a hollow front portion 10, of very similar construct1on as the hollow back portion. This front portion is also provided along its top, bottom and sides with openings 11 for the passage of air,into and out of the casing 10.

This chamber or space 10 is designed to receive a plate, block or element 12 formed of refractory material and commonly termed a refractory plate or radiant. The refractory plate 12 constitutes a characteristic and important feature of the present invention, and, as shown, is disposed at the front of the chamber 10, partially closing the hollow front portion 10 of the casing and resting upon ledges 13 of the front portion of the casing.

As illustrated and as preferred, this resistor receiving and supporting element 12 comprises a hollow body formed of a suitable refractory material having a heat reflecting solid back portion 14 preferably provided with exterior vertically extending strengthening ribs 15 and an open work or grille front 16. The interior of the hollow body is divided by Vertically extending partition walls 17 designed to form chambers for the reception of the resistor units, which are designed to be inserted from the top of the radiant or block 12. These partition walls, as well as the end walls of the hollow body, are formed with vertically extending grooves, slots, or recesses 18 to receive the edges only of the resistor units when the latter are placed within the hollow plate 12.

The preferred type of resistor element or elements employed by me comprises a plurality of electrically connected units consisting of relatively thin, fiat sheet metal strips 19 having slots 20 cut therein, the slots being spaced apart and extending inwardly from opposite longitudinal edges of the strips, the slots extending from one edge bei ing arranged alternatelyto those along the opposite edge;

This arrangement of slots in connection f 5 "with the strips 'forms a'sfa' whole, a sinuous path'forthe'passa'ge of the electric current,

I andpr'ovidesa highly efiicient heating ele v ment or elements including a plurality of resistor units electrically connected. The 'respectiveunits-are connected to adjacent units- .7 at the top byconnecting pieces, as shown at 21, and the.electrical'connection between the middle unit's'ismade at 22 by a bolt. It is evident that these units may be electrically connected otherwise th n shown; it being. the

purpose, toprovide means whereby the units may be inserted and removed in pairs, or separately,

"The resistor units may be connected to go the electric current .wire 23 through suitable I switch mechanism located .in switch b01124 and-thewires 25 and 26 extending therefrom Iclaim': 1 1. In' an electric radiant heater com 'ris' :5 ing a casing, a hollow refractory ra iant member supported in the casing and having a plurality, of resistor-receiving chambers ,formed by vertically -extending"'partition v walls-and an open-workfront portion, said :0 Walls and front portion constituting integral 7 portions of the radiant member, a series of T electrically; connected resistor units positioned in said chambers to the rear of said '3. front portion, said units each including a.

8.5 relatively thin flexible current-conductingstrip having-transverse slots to provide a sinuous path for the current. 2; Intgan electric radiant heater comprisv ing a casing, a hollow refractory radiant 40 member'supported in the, casing. and having a plurality of-resi'stor-receiving chambers formed, by. vertically extendingpartition walls,"a seriesot electricallyrconnected resistorunits positioned in said .chambers,said

units. each. including a relatively thin flex'i ble currentconducting"strip' having trans-- vers'e slots to provide a-sinuous'path for the I current, said partition walls provided with vertically extending grooves to"receive the I to longitudinal edges 10f the resistor units.-

In testimony whereof I aflix m si ature. LQ I 

